Can pereoratina device



May 30, 1933. R. A. HIGGINS, JR 1,911,506v

CAN PERFORATING DEVICE- Filed'Feb 16, 1932 i I n v r rior E0551? 7'14. EGG/Nasal? I z m A ilol ney Patented May 30, 1933 ROBERT A. HIGGINS, JR., OF LAKEWOOD, NEW JERSEY CAN PERFORATING DEVICE A ppIication filed February 16, 1932. Serial No. 593,391.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in kitchen utensils, and more particularly it pertains to a device for perforating the ends of cans.

It is a common practice to form holes in the ends of cans containing liquid in order that the liquid may be discharged from the can without further opening thereof. It is also customary to provide two perforations at diametrically opposite points in order that when one of-the perforations is used for discharging the liquid, the other perforation serves the purpose of admitting air to the can for displacement of the liquid being discharged.

The present invention relates to a tool by means of which two diametrically oppositely disposed perforations may be formed at a single operation.

The tool includes a pair of spaced perforating elements, and a further object of the invention resides in the provision of a brace adapted to bridge said perforating elements and maintain them at all times in their proper position.

A still further object of the invention resides in a new and novel structure whereby guides for properly positioning the perforating elements with respect to the end of the can are provided.

With the above and other objects in view, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein;

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tool constructed in accordance with the present invention after the perforating operation has been performed and the tool partially withdrawn from the end of the can,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View illustrating the tool in position upon the end of acan after the perforations have been formed, and;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

The tool comprises a handle 5 and carried by the handle there are two perforating elements 6 each of which has a sharpened point or the like 7 which is adapted to perform the perforating operation. These perforating elements are preferably formed from wire and they are twisted together and. suitably secured in the. handle member 5- with their free pointed ends in spaced relation to each other and at a predetermined distance.

Means is provided to maintain the pointed ends 7 in spaced relation to each other and in the present embodiment of the invention, this means consists of a brace 8. This brace 8 is preferably formed from a rectangular strip of metal and the perforating elements are passed through openings 9 therein.

Guides are employed, and these guides are designated 10 in the drawing and consist of end extension sections which are bent as at 11 at right angles to the body portion of the brace Sand into parallelism with the free end of the perforating elements 6. If desired, the brace 8 may be rounded intermediate of its ends asdesignated by the reference character 14 for the purpose of giving added strength thereto.

The guides 10 are adapted'to position the tool relative to the can as illustrated in Figure 2 and said guides occupy a position in contact with the outer face of the can during the perforating operation.

The device operates in the following manner. r When it is desired to make the perforations which are designated 15 in the end of a can, the tool is placed over the can with the perforating point 7 in contact with the head thereof and the guide members 10 in engagement with the side walls of the can. If now, pressure be applied to the handle 5, the pointed ends of the perforating elements 6 will pass through the end or head of the can and form the erforations 15 therein and v the guides 10 will prevent accidental displacement of the tool until the end of the can is punctured.

In addition to performing the function of a brace, the member 8 also provides a stop for preventing the perforating elements from entering too far into the can since during the perforating operation, the member 8engages the rim of the can and prevents further movement of the tool.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a new and novel tool for the purpose specified.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters-Patent of the United States, is:

A device of the class described comprising a pair of wires having portions twisted together, a handle having a socket therein receiving the twisted portions, the untwistedportions of the wires diverging from the handle and having their free end portions bent to provide straight parallel portions the extremities of which are pointed, a flat bar having holes therein through which said straight portions extend, the ends of the bar beyond the holes being bent downwardly at right angles to form straight guiding means which parallel each other and. said straight portions, the middle portion of the bar being rolled to provide a tubular part the ends of which are spaced from the holes.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT A. HIGGINS, JR. 

